Fake Cop Pulls Over Real Police Officers in N.M.

John Shelton, 26, allegedly armed with a pistol on his hip and his experience as an emergency medical tech and a firefighter, detained two undercover officers traveling on a state highway in San Miguel County and was eventually arrested for impersonating an officer, reports The Albuquerque Journal.

Turns out that pretending to be a cop can have real consequences.

Fake Cop, Real Crime

A news release from the New Mexico State Police states that Shelton approached the vehicle dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, and informed the undercover officers that he had pulled them over for speeding, reports The Albuquerque Journal.

Attempting to perform the "functions" of a peace officer (i.e., arresting or detaining suspects).

Shelton allegedly tried to detain the undercover agents for speeding, which is definitely a function of law enforcement. And because it was an alleged crime committed in the presence of two actual officers, Shelton was rightly arrested.

Pretend Time Ends With Booking

After the officers arrested Shelton, he was booked into jail on a $2,000 cash-only bond, meaning that Shelton will not be released unless someone pays that much in cash to the court.

Higher bail or cash-only requirements are typically set if the suspect is considered a flight risk or has failed to pay fines in previous cases.

In Shelton's case, he may be sitting in the detention center until arraignment, unless a family member or friend can come up with the two grand in cash to bail him out.